The Alpha Let Her Humiliate Me Every Full Moon Chapter 09

The Alpha Let Her Humiliate Me Every Full Moon Chapter 09

I still hated cooking, but the Dawnhaven pack kitchen always had meals ready that I actually wanted

to eat.

I still feared sleeping alone, but the guards patrolling the territory at night made me feel safe.

The pack also offered regular combat training that taught us practical defensive skills.

I realized that many of the needs I had believed only a mate could meet were fulfilled simply by living among packmates who genuinely cared about me.

If I had transferred sooner, I might have found this sense of security years earlier.

By fall, my packmates had grown concerned that I spent too much time alone in my den, so they invited me on a hunting trip.

As we prepared to leave that day, I spotted Dorian across from the pack grounds.

He had just stepped out of one of the residential buildings across from the main compound.

I vaguely remembered hearing that Dorian had resigned as Shadowcliff’s Alpha and transferred to

Dawnhaven.

I had been too occupied with pack business at the time to give the news much thought.

Our eyes met across the courtyard.

My pulse didn’t change.

Looking at him felt no different from looking at a stranger.

He stared at me, regret tightening his features.

“Is your face getting better?”

I gave him a polite, distant nod and turned away.

Before he could say anything else, one of my packmates linked her arm through mine.

“Come on! We still need to grab supplies for the hunt.”

That brief exchange was all Dorian received from me.

He might as well have been a stranger passing by, because he left my thoughts the moment I turned

away.

When Dawnhaven offered places in a European pack exchange at the end of the year, I applied immediately.

I left for Europe before the holidays and, within two months, applied for a permanent transfer to

the exchange territory rather than return to Dawnhaven.

Back in Dawnhaven, Dorian had canceled his own holiday trip and filled his kitchen with food, apparently expecting me to spend the break with him.

He waited until the food spoiled before learning that I had left for Europe to train.

Two months into my European assignment, on the night of the full moon, a call came from any

unfamiliar number.

“Elara, do you hate the sight of me that much?”

Dorian’s voice was slurred.

“You left without saying goodbye. Do you know I waited for you for seven days?”

His voice broke on the final words.

“Why couldn’t you at least let me see you from a distance?”

I remained silent.

“Tomorrow is our anniversary,” he continued. “Last year, I promised that we would complete the mate bond this year.”

He let out an unsteady breath.

“I had everything ready, but you’re gone.

His voice was slurred by alcohol and strained by tears.

“You were always so understanding and patient. Why couldn’t you give me one more chance?”

The words came faster.

“Why can’t you believe I could change? Why did you have to disappear like that?”

He began to sob on the other end of the line.

“Six years,

Elara. Six whole years. How do you expect me to simply get over it?”

His crying abruptly stopped.

After a rustle on the other end, an older female’s gentle voice replaced his.

“I’m sorry, dear. He’s drunk and insisted on calling you. I hope we didn’t disturb you.”

She paused.

“I wish you all the best.”

For an instant, a faint ache stirred in my chest, but it quickly passed.

“Thank you. I wish you well too. Goodbye.”

I ended the call.

Within a few days, it had faded into something that felt like a distant dream.

Three years later, I briefly returned to Dawnhaven.

Several of my closest Dawnhaven packmates were talking near the entrance to the main compound.

When I approached, they greeted me with grins and playful accusations.

“When did this happen?” one of them demanded. “You kept it completely secret. Why are you only telling us now?”

Another female nudged my shoulder.

“Come on, are we even friends? I’ve been dying to attend your bonding ceremony.”

I laughed.

“That’s why I’m here. I came to hand out the invitations.”

I opened the box in my arms.

“None of you better miss it.”

They eagerly accepted the silver-embossed bonding invitations and began asking questions faster

than I could answer them.

A familiar voice behind me silenced the group.

I turned and found myself looking directly into Dorian’s eyes.

“You’re holding a bonding ceremony?”

He stood there in his usual pack uniform, apparently just back from patrol.

I paused, then smiled and nodded.

“Yes. You’re welcome to attend the ceremony.”

Dorian remained there in silence until my packmates and I turned to leave:

“Is he good to you?” he asked behind me.

Without turning back, I lifted my gaze to the full moon.

“Yes.”

Silence followed, and for a moment, I thought he had finally walked away.

Then his hoarse voice reached me.

“I hope you’re happy.”

I turned and gave him one final, quiet smile.

“Thank you,” I said. “I hope you find happiness too.”

The moon, steady and bright, would always be there.

At last, I had found happiness on my own terms.